New Zealand Rugby outlines to-do list
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand Rugby’s plans to radically change the landscape of the sport in the country has commenced.
According to the New Zealand Herald, NZR has presented the findings of the McKinsey report to provincial unions – a new blueprint for how the game should be organised, managed and structured.
The purpose of the report was to address, among others, stagnant participation rates, increasing drop-out rates among teens and plunging spectator interest in Mitre 10 Cup and Super Rugby.
In response, NZR released a statement where they have identified five of opportunities to grow revenue and remove inefficiencies – including a high-performance pathway, expenditure optimisation, resourcing across rugby, domestic competitions and revenue growth opportunities.
NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said the consultation would now begin on the opportunities presented.
“We will now work closely with Provincial Unions and Super Rugby Clubs and other stakeholders to assess the Review findings, and determine what is practical and desirable, to ensure that we continue to deliver rugby in a way that is economically viable and relevant to fans and the community.
“This is an important opportunity to stand back, look at the needs across all levels of rugby, from community to elite, and ensure we have the right priorities in place to keep boys, girls, men and women in New Zealand continuing to have a lifelong love of the game. We know that rugby in our regions has a rich and proud history and we want to maintain that connection.
“No decisions have been made. This next phase is about consultation and for rugby to determine which path we think is best for the game’s future.”
*Article continues below…
Meanwhile, The Herald reported that several investment consortiums have held exploratory talks with NZR to identify specific opportunities with the All Blacks, which are separate to any plans the various venture capitalists may have to try to buy a stake in the Rugby Championship and Super Rugby.
NZR has long sought a means to unlock the true commercial worth of the All Blacks, whose brand recognition is in line with sporting giants Manchester United and Real Madrid but whose revenue is only a fraction of the numbers posted by those iconic clubs.
There’s no sense yet that NZR will commit itself to work with a private equity group, although sources have said it would seem inevitable that developments elsewhere will push the national body towards trying to strike a deal.
World Rugby will meet this week and is expected to ratify a deal that will see global private equity group CVC Capital take a 15 per cent stake in the commercial rights of the Six Nations.
A spokesperson for NZR confirmed that the national body is exploring all its commercial options but is not formal talks with any party at this stage.
Sources: Rugbypass & NewZealand Herald
In other news:
